Nissan Pathfinder Ti 4WD 2014 review

Like the Nissan Patrol, many big four-wheel drive wagons and utes are all torque, boasting how much they can pull – up to three-and-a-half tonnes in some cases - then there’s the Nissan Pathfinder.

Nissan’s other large off-roader cares more for who’s inside the vehicle than for what’s out the back, although it’s no slouch on the towing table, hauling up to 2700 kg with a braked trailer.

Offered in Nissan’s traditional grades, ST, ST-L and Ti, each in either two- or four-wheel-drive, Pathfinder is powered by a V6 petrol engine coupled with continuously variable transmission.

Explore the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder range

• Nissan Pathfinder auto 2014 review
• Nissan Pathfinder 4WD 2014 review
• Nissan Pathfinder 2014 review: snapshot
• Nissan Pathfinder 2014 review
• Nissan Pathfinder ST-L 2014 review
• Nissan Pathfinder Ti 4WD 2014 review

Mated with this motor is Nissan’s All Mode 4x4-i system with electronic switch between three modes – 2WD, auto and Lock – there’s something to suit most conditions.

The test vehicle was a Ti 4WD topping the price list at $64,890, plus on-roads.

Design / Styling

The key to the new Pathfinder’s character can be found in the fact that it is built in Tennessee in the United States with its main aim to woo American buyers. At more than five metres long it is big and bold. Nissan boasts about its improved aerodynamic design, putting some of it down to a roof-mounted rear spoiler.

The cabin interior at once puts out a statement this is no farm implement, the Ti seating wrapped in quality leather, the front carrying a heating and cooling facility. A front sunroof features a manual sunshade, the rear panoramic glass roof sports a power sunshade.  Also, a class-leading convenience is an electric opening and closing tailgate operated through the key fob.

Infotainment

The Pathfinder is up there with segment leaders, offering Nissan’s Advanced Driver Assist Display directly in front of the driver as well as Around View Monitor and standard satellite navigation presented on an 8-inch colour screen situated in the central dashboard.

Entertainment is taken care of with a 13-speaker Premium Bose audio, 9-gigabyte Music Box and DVD system with dual 7-inch screens fitted in the rear of the front seats. Features are infra-red headphones, wired jack and remote controller.

Engines / Transmissions

As it’s aimed at the American market no diesel engine is on the Pathfinder shopping list. The lone power plant is Nissan’s VQ35 V6 petrol engine putting out 190 kW of power and 325 Nm of torque, the latter enough to have the big 4WD wagon hauling 2700 kg behind it.

Nissan’s All Mode 4x4-i System is controlled by a knob conveniently situated on the centre console and provides the option of three modes – 2WD in which drive is directed to the front wheels, for better fuel economy; Auto checks all four wheels to distribute the ideal amount of torque between them; and Lock comes in handy in rough terrain, permanently engaging drive power with a 50:50 torque split between front and rear wheels at speeds below 40km/h.

Safety

Six airbags, including front to rear curtains, have helped the Pathfinder win a five-star ANCAP safety rating, while standard active safety features include vehicle dynamic control, traction control, anti-lock braking, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, tyre pressure monitoring.  Rear view camera with guidelines is included in the Around View Monitor system, there are also reversing sensors.

Driving

The new Pathfinder is welcoming with its wide doors and comfortable step up into the cabin. Capable of seating seven adults, the third row is particularly easy to access thanks to a latch-and-glide system on the second row that presents a wide entrance to the rear seats.

As well as under-floor storage in the luggage area, with the two rear rows folded there is a cavernous 2259 litres of cargo space.

On a trip across the Queensland border into enemy territory (New South Wales at ‘Origin’ time) the Pathfinder used a miserly 7.6 litres of petrol per 100 kilometres along the coastal highway, 12 L/100 km in the lanes of laid-back Nimbin and its environs and topped 15 L/100 km through the tight twists and turns of the leafy back roads of the northern rivers.

It was sufficient to switch the All Mode 4x4-i system between fuel-saving 2WD on bitumen and auto when needed on gravel; the third mode, Lock, would have been called on only in much tougher going.

The Pathfinder’s suspension, with independent strut up front and multilink down the back, ensured a smooth road-going ride on and off the bitumen, while braking was firm and competent in the face of the oncoming truck or two.

The speed-sensitive electric power system took positive measures to steer clear of potholes and fallen branches in sections of the backwoods drive.